metro
Housing not FG priority, says HDAN, decries 2025’s N88bn allocation
Housing not FG priority, says HDAN, decries 2025’s N88bn allocation
The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has criticised the Federal Government’s allocation of N88.14 billion to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in the 2025 budget.
It described it as a clear indication that affordable housing for poor citizens was not on the priority list of the present government.
This is contained in a statement released in Abuja by the HDAN Executive Director, Festus Adebayo, expressing disappointment at the situation.
He said the budget allocation was grossly inadequate to tackle the country’s estimated 28 million-unit housing shortfall.
Adebayo noted that such insufficient funding undermined the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed to deliver 20,000 housing units annually.
He called for a substantial budgetary increase to N500 billion and above, citing the average cost of N6 million to N10 milion per housing unit required to meet the presidential deliverable.
“Unlike other sectors, budgetary provision for housing is retrievable when houses are sold. The money comes back to the government after creating jobs and boosting economic development.
“At least 70% of the expenditure can be recovered, even if the houses are subsidised,” Adebayo noted.
He compared the housing sector’s potential for economic returns with other ministries such as Works, Education, and Transportation, where allocations are typically sunk costs with no direct financial recovery.
Adebayo urged President Bola Tinubu to show greater commitment to the housing sector by addressing the poor allocation in the budget.
“Government needs to match its talk on housing with action. The Renewed Hope for Housing will not be realized if the Ministry of Housing continues to be starved of funds,” he warned, adding that the reduced budget down from ₦99 billion last year to ₦88 billion this year, does not reflect a serious approach to tackling Nigeria’s housing crisis.
The HDAN leader also criticised the lack of provision for key initiatives such as the Family Homes Fund Limited, Federal Housing Authority, calling for a more conducive environment for them to thrive.
He however commended the government’s establishment of the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund, expected to launch in 2025.
“HDAN will be at the forefront to ensure that MOFI’s mandate is achieved and that Nigerians benefit from these initiatives,” he added.
The housing ministry’s allocation was highlighted as disproportionate compared to other ministries. For example, the Ministry of Works received over N926 billion, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation N114 billion, and the Ministry of Power N531 billion. Adebayo questioned why a sector with significant economic and social benefits had continued to be underfunded.
“This disparity underscores a lack of prioritization of housing, which is a critical need for Nigerians,” he said.
HDAN also called on the National Assembly to urgently intervene and ensure an increase in the allocation for housing and urban development in the 2025 budget.
Adebayo said this critical adjustment, before the budget’s final passage to Mr. President would demonstrate a strong legislative commitment to addressing Nigeria’s severe housing deficit.
He recommended alternative approaches, including rental housing schemes with ownership options, partially completed housing units to lower initial costs, and site-and-service schemes that could provide infrastructure, enabling citizens to build at their own pace.
He also stressed the importance of engaging professionals in policy implementation and maintaining public buildings to ensure sustainability.
Adebayo urged policymakers to prioritise the housing sector in the 2025 budget, calling for deliberate and systematic planning to reduce the housing deficit.
“If we plan to build 20,000 units this year, we should aim to double that next year. A deliberate and systematic approach is needed to reduce the housing deficit consistently,” he said.
He called for improved oversight to ensure that allocated funds are effectively utilised, delivering the promised housing units within the specified timeframe.
According to the statement, the HDAN is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing affordable housing in Africa and it has continued to champion innovative solutions to the housing crisis.
“With a diverse membership of over 5,000 professionals from the housing and construction industry, HDAN remains at the forefront of efforts to make housing accessible and sustainable for all Nigerians,” it stated.
metro
Islamic group postpones launch of Sharia court in Oyo
Islamic group postpones launch of Sharia court in Oyo
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has announced the indefinite postponement of the inauguration of a Sharia Court of Law in Oyo State following widespread online criticism.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Imam Daud Igi Ogun, the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, the Islamic group confirmed that the event, initially scheduled for January 11, 2025, would no longer hold as planned.
The proposed establishment of the Sharia court had sparked significant outrage on social media, with many Nigerians expressing concerns over its implications in a multi-religious and culturally diverse state like Oyo.
READ ALSO:
- Lagos council to rename road after Seyi Tinubu
- Israeli army forces patients out of a north Gaza hospital
- Edo local govt chairmen resume work
The group said, “On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) previously scheduled for January 11th, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Center, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!”
Recall that the group’s flier announcing the launch of the court in Oyo state had gone viral causing an outrage among Nigerians especially those from the South region you argued that the same measure used in the North cannot be adopted there.
According to the flier, the court was expected to launch on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Oyo.
Islamic group postpones launch of Sharia court in Oyo
metro
Lagos council to rename road after Seyi Tinubu
Lagos council to rename road after Seyi Tinubu
The Oshodi-Isolo Local Government is set to rename Liverpool Road in Oshodi-Isolo after Seyi Tinubu, the son of Mr. President Bola Tinubu.
Chairman of the council, Kehinde Oloyede, explained that the decision was “borne out of his immense contributions to youth and community development.
According to Oloyode, in a statement shared on the LG’s X handle by his media aid, “All is now set for the renaming of Liverpool Road in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government after the son of Nigeria’s President, Amb. Seyi Tinubu.”
READ ALSO:
- Israeli army forces patients out of a north Gaza hospital
- Edo local govt chairmen resume work
- Court stops Wike from selling Abuja disputed land
When contacted to confirm the claim, one of media aides to the Chairman of Oshodi –Isolo council said, The road, which is strategic to Oshodi and one of the major roads linking Oshodi/Apapa Expressway and connecting the international airport, “would soon be commissioned and renamed in Seyi Tinubu’s honour at a date to be announced.”
Oloyode, claimed “The road was a lion’s den, as no one could dare pass it either during the day or at night.”
He, however, noted that upon his assumption of office, the criminal elements, who had been using the road as a hideout before its reconstruction were all chased away.
Lagos council to rename road after Seyi Tinubu
metro
I stole from hospital because of hunger — Suspected cultist
I stole from hospital because of hunger — Suspected cultist
A 25-year-old alleged cultist, Borokini Ayodeji, has said that he resorted to stealing because of hunger and a lack of support from family members.
Ayodeji, who was arrested and paraded by the Ondo State security outfit codenamed Amotekun, in Akure, lamented that he was abandoned hence he ventured into stealing to survive.
In an interview, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Eiye confraternity.
He admitted stealing from a government general hospital in Akure, the state capital out of hunger.
Th suspect who said that he was a trained tailor, noted that he resorted to stealing because of poverty and lack of support to establish his craft.
Also paraded was a 16 year old secondary school student in Akure, (names witheld) who confessed to raping a 24 year old neighbour at knifepoint.
READ ALSO:
- Edo local govt chairmen resume work
- Court stops Wike from selling Abuja disputed land
- Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students
According to his statement, the crime was unprovoked, and he expressed remorse for his actions.
In an interview, the suspect said: “I don’t know what came over me. I regret my actions.”
Parading the suspects, the state commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said that 29 suspects, with seven others currently under interrogation, were arrested for various offences ranging from rape and burglary to attempted murder.
Adeleye said that the arrests were the result of intensified patrols and intelligence gathering across the state.
He assured residents of the Corps’ commitment to maintaining peace and curbing criminal activities, particularly during the festive season.
He said: “Among these, a notorious member of a vehicle and motorcycle theft syndicate, known for disassembling stolen vehicles and selling them as scrap outside the state, was apprehended.
“The operatives also arrested a serial house breaker who had been jailed twice in the last three years.
“Shockingly, he resumed burglary activities within two weeks of his release from the prison.”
He said that to ensure safety during the yuletide season, 1,200 personnel had been deployed across the 18 local government areas of the state, supported by regular patrols and show-of-force exercises.
I stole from hospital because of hunger — Suspected cultist
-
metro2 days agoFG declares three days as public holidays
-
metro23 hours agoIbadan stampede: Court sends Ooni’s ex-Queen, Hamzat, other to prison
-
metro1 day agoIbadan stampede: Ooni’s ex-queen, Oriyomi, others face arraignment today
-
metro1 day agoBREAKING: Dele Farotimi released from Ekiti prison
-
metro23 hours ago[UPDATED] I never lied, truth is my weapon against injustice – Dele Farotimi declares after release
-
Entertainment2 days agoN5m reward announced for anyone who returns Wizkid’s missing phone
-
metro18 hours agoArrest Abuja, Anambra palliative organisers or set those in Ibadan free — MURIC
-
metro2 days agoYoruba youths reject Sharia law introduction in region